Name of Session: Oh Just Grow Up Already!

Session Leaders:
Joy and Sally

Length of Session:
Part 1 (Day 1): 1 hour, 15 minutes
Part 2 (Day 8): 45 minutes

Learning Goals for DVI Fellows:
The Learner will:
· Understand the nature of germination and the function of seed structures (Part 1).
· Be able to distinguish between manipulated (independent), controlled, and responding (dependent) variables (Part 1).
· Understand how to develop an experiment to further explore personal observations and questions designed by the investigator (Part 1).
· Explain the initial stages of plant development through daily observations (Part 2).
· Realize that environmental conditions have an influence on individual seed success (Part 2).
· Graph experimental outcomes (Part 2).

Summary of Activities:
Materials Required:
Peanuts
Easel-sized Sticky Pads
Sticky notes
Markers
Paper Towels
Staplers
Quart size Ziploc bags (~60)
Lima Bean Seeds (~500, soaked O/N)

Session Overview:

Engage

  • The “Anatomy of an Investigation” will be discussed as an introduction to inquiry projects and using inquiry boards. Inquiry boards will be used to begin the exercise, allowing fellows to brainstorm ideas for their projects and discuss the differences between dependent and independent variables. In addition, pertinent background information will be presented regarding seed structure and germination (Part 1).

Explore
  • Fellows will dissect seeds and explore their anatomy (Cotyledons and Embryo). They will also compare different seeds and explore the differences between monocots and dicots (Part 1).

Explain

  • Fellows will observe germinating seeds that were set up at different time periods prior to this workshop (1 night, 1 week, 2 weeks prior). In groups, they will discuss how germination occurs, and the role that the cotyledons play in the process. They will address questions about why are seeds are used as a food source and how seeds are able to germinate in the absence of light (e.g. in the dark ground) (Part 1).
  • Fellows will discuss the influence of different environmental conditions on the germination of seeds (Part 1).
  • The difference between manipulated, controlled, and responding variables will be discussed and possible variables that could be altered in seed germination will be brainstormed. Fellows will also make predictions about the outcome of experiments (Part 1).

Elaborate

  • Fellows will work in pairs to set up the experiments to test their predictions (Part 1).
  • Fellows will observe and record changes in their seeds over a one week time period (Part 2).

Evaluate

Fellows will have the opportunity to examine their results and discuss conclusions at a later date (Part 2).

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